You MAY have to wait until next spring to use a Citi Bike share

[File photo by Shawn Chittle]

Per the Post today:

The city’s stalled bike-sharing program is asking for financial help even before it begins, The Post has learned.

Alta, the company that was supposed to have put 10,000 bicycles on the street starting today, has asked the lead sponsor to accelerate payments of $3.5 million in case the program is delayed until next spring and runs out of cash, sources said.

Bike rentals at Busy Bee

[Bobby Williams]

We've been writing about the upcoming Smurf Bike Citi Bikes share ... we meant to note that Busy Bee on East Sixth between First Avenue and Avenue A offers one of the above bikes — $30 for 24 hours...

DOT removing bike racks from Astor Place

EVG reader 8E sends along this photo from today at Astor Place, noting: "Looks like there'll be fewer bike racks at Astor Place by Friday."

Indeed.

Anyone know what's going on here? A ramp up to the Citi Bike system? Back in April, StreetsBlog noted that Astor Place will be home to a 55-dock station next to the uptown 6 train entrance.

Or. Something related to the Death Star?

Just guessing...

Report: Citi Bikes launch now happening in August, most likely

[Shawn Chittle]

The city’s bike-share system will launch in August, not the previously announced start date of July (Streetsblog ... previously)

At the Citi Bike demonstration in Tompkins Square Park

So there was a Citi Share biking demonstration today in Tompkins Square Park ... Shawn Chittle stopped by to take a few photos...

Shawn's not really sold on this concept... Did anyone try out a bike? Any thoughts to share?

Oh, and here's the official City Bike website... still don't see an official start date for this program...

Your chance to give the Citi Bikes a whirl tomorrow on Avenue A

[Citi Bike NYC]

Everyone is, of course, super psyched about the Citi Bike program that the city and Citi are launching this summer...

In case you're not on board yet. From the EV Grieve inbox...

Bike Share Demonstration: Tompkins Square Park
Demonstration
THURSDAY
July 12th, 2012
12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Give the Citi Bikes a whirl, ask questions about bike share, and give your feedback on the system. The bikes will be at Tompkins Square Park on East 7th Street and Avenue A.

By the way, if you're out, can you swing by Gringer and Sons on First Avenue and pick up the upright freezer that I ordered? Thanks!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Here is the city's new Citi Bike

Here are your East Village bike share locations, probably